Background information

Nature provides limitless opportunities for developing creativity. Materials provided by nature stimulate our senses and promote development. Using natural materials for craft activities requires problem solving and creativity; things don’t fit together as neatly as Lego, and sticky tape doesn’t always work on rocks! Children often manipulate natural materials differently than other craft materials.

Nature is everywhere, so materials are readily available. Step outside and have a look around, and you will never look at a seed pod the same way again. Children can see possibilities everywhere and resource their own creative inspiration.

Nature is versatile. Natural materials can be used a million different ways; you are only limited by your imagination.

Nature doesn’t cost much! You can create with natural materials for little or no cost. It is important though to discuss with children that they need to be careful when collecting natural materials and to encourage their respect for nature. When collecting materials from the ground, for example, it is a good idea to keep an eye out for creepy crawlies! It is also good if materials can be returned after the children's creations have been documented (take a photo), or the glue isn’t holding any more! It might be best not to strip plants of their flowers, bark and leaves, or take all the shells from the beach or rocks from the creek.

Using natural materials is sustainable. Your creations can be returned to nature rather than put in the bin. You are also reducing your exposure to synthetic materials such as plastic and other chemicals often found in man-made materials. It is also a great way to inspire children to go outside and explore their natural environment. They will build an understanding of their world as they notice changes in seasons and different plants and animals in different places.

“Nature is infinitely creative. It is always producing the possibility of new beginnings” – Marianne Williamson

Definitions:

Natural Material – any product or physical matter that comes from plants, animals, or the ground.
Loose Parts – objects that are separated from their original structure, such as stick, bark, leaves and nuts.

“In any environment, both the degree of inventiveness and creativity, and the possibility of discovery, are directly proportional to the number and kind of variables in it” – Simon Nicholson

New words for children to learn:

Natural Material

Activity: Exploring Nature's Loose Parts

Ages - 0 to 2

Preparation: Collect a range of natural materials, keeping in mind that infants may like to put these in their mouths. Large seed pods, sticks, leaves, rocks, shells, flowers, bark, herbs, etc are all great. Ensure you collect items that have different shapes, textures, sizes and colours. Children will enjoy collecting materials, too.

Provide children with a natural medium such as clay or sand. They can then use the materials to manipulate and decorate the clay or sand by making imprints and patterns, squashing, moulding and rolling. Use herbs or other fragrant plants to incorporate smell. Don’t forget to take photos of the creative process!

Provocations:

I wonder what we can create with these?
I wonder what patterns we can make?
I wonder what we can find outside to create with?
I wonder what happens when we add water/sand/leaves, etc?
I wonder what this feels like?
I wonder if we can create something together?

Possible lines of development:

Make your own natural wooden blocks – seal them with bees wax for great natural non-toxic loose parts.
Paint on bark or rocks using non-toxic paint, mud or water (or make your own edible ‘paint’ by whizzing up some colourful fruit in the blender).
Try painting with different types of leaves and sticks.
Draw in the sand, dirt or mud.
Colours in Nature.
Provide opportunities for nature time and nature play.

Ages - 2 to 3

Preparation: Collect a range of natural materials, such as seed pods, sticks, leaves, rocks, sand, shells, flowers, bark, herbs, etc. Ensure you collect items that have different shapes, textures, sizes and colours. Children will enjoy collecting materials, too. You will also need crayons, pencils, charcoal, a stamp pad or paint and some paper.

After you have collected your natural materials, ask the children to see if they can create pictures of animals, bugs or other things they might have seen either at home in their garden or in the centre yard; maybe a frog, a butterfly, a caterpillar or a spider. See how many things they can make.

Children could also try making their pictures using rubbings of leaves, bark, or anything else they can find. Children could also use a stamp pad or paint for making patterns, or make impressions in clay to make wind chimes or mobiles. Offer the children opportunities to add to their creations.

Provocations:

I wonder what interesting things we can find to create within our yard?
I wonder what we can make with this?
I wonder what patterns we can make with these?
I wonder what you can make that you might find in the garden or yard?
I wonder if it looks different if you use a different colour/crayon/paint/ink?
I wonder what that came from? (Plant, animal, rock.)
I wonder what’s different about making things with natural materials?
I wonder what we should do with these once we are finished?

Possible lines of development:

Find out what bugs live in the centre garden.
Go out to some nearby nature and see if you can find other interesting natural materials.
Identify plants and their different parts (flowers, seed pods, leaves, bark). Which go together? What time of year do they appear? Do juveniles look like adult plants?
Grow some plants that you can use for nature crafts.
Make your own ochre or paint from rocks and clay.
Colours in Nature.
Plant Patterns, Shapes and Names.
Provide opportunities for nature time and nature play.

Ages - 3 to 5

Preparation: Collect a range of natural materials, including seed pods, sticks, leaves, rocks, sand, shells, flowers, bark, herbs, etc. Ensure you collect items that have different shapes, textures sizes and colours. Children will enjoy collecting materials, too. You will also need a strong 'Y' shaped stick, and string, yarn or ribbon (or a combination of these).

Tie the string to the branch at the bottom of the 'Y'. Wrap the string around the branch in a figure-eight pattern, moving up the two arms of the 'Y'. Tie off the string at the top. Repeat with another colour if desired. You have now created a loom. Use the natural materials to weave through the loom. Fern fronds, strappy leaves and grasses work very well. Some colourful leaves and flowers are also good. You can also add some dangly decorations like seed pods, feathers or rocks for added ‘specialness’. Offer the children opportunities to add to their creations.

Provocations:

I wonder what interesting things we can find to create within our yard?
I wonder what we can make with this?
I wonder what sort of materials are easier to weave?
I wonder what that came from? (Plant, animal, rock.)
I wonder what’s different about making things with natural materials?
I wonder what we should do with these once we are finished?

Possible lines of development:

Go out to some nearby nature and see if you can find other interesting natural materials.
Identify plants and their different parts (flowers, seed pods, leaves, bark). Which go together? What time of year do they appear? Do juveniles look like adult plants?
Grow some plants that you can use for nature crafts.
What plants are good for habitat/food/air/water quality.
Cultural uses for plants (bush tucker, tools, medicine, craft).
Natural Versus Non-Natural.
Provide opportunities for nature time and nature play.

Evaluation

Complete an analysis of learning listing evidence about:

Belonging	Find something of interest
Communication	Express an idea or feeling
Exploration	Engage with challenge and persist when difficulty arises
Well being	Being involved

Embedding into daily practice

Use natural materials and loose parts to encourage creative thinking and problem-solving in all aspects of your program (inside and out).
Create a sensory Indigenous native habitat or edible garden with children and families.
Go outside in all weather; include this in your philosophy and policies.
Consider purchasing less art and craft materials and use more natural and recycled materials; make your own paint, glue, etc.

Nature Craft

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